Portable Computer Table With Clear Reading and Writing Surface

ABSTRACT

A Portable Computer Table with Clear Reading and Writing Surface provides a clear planar support with cooling slots for a computer. A clear elevated horizontal work space above the computer holds work materials and provides a writing surface. Clear vertical supports work with the clear elevated horizontal work space to restrain access to the user interface of the computer from third parties like children and pets. A small footprint space is designed for the computer user who desires to have the flexibility to work in small spaces while still retaining noncomputer workspace in close proximity to the computer. Indented edges on the planar bases reduce blind spots and improve access to the user interface of the portable computer. Access openings allow users to access peripheral ports and drives. The assembly has optional hinged sides so the assembly can collapse to take up less space during storage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application No. 61/184,952 entitled “Portable Computer Table With Clear Reading and Writing Surface” filed on Jun. 8, 2009, which provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; this application claims the benefit of the provisional's filing date under 35 U.S.C. 119(e).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable computers, commonly referred to as laptop or notebook type, and in particular to an accessory for a portable computer that will provide a protected multilevel work area effectively creating more horizontal space even in cramped areas and provide protection to the portable computer from some inherent hazards in some home environments.

A portable computer user is generally a user whose office is ‘on the go.’ The user that is a passenger on public transportation or is working away from a large office desk does not have a large flat horizontal work area for the computer, the papers, the books, the travel mug and other materials next to the computer so that they can be easily accessed when working. In the home environment, a computer user also does not typically have a large office desk in every part of the home where the portable computer user must work. While working at home, many people have to multitask where the least flexible part of their multiple tasks takes place, such as in the children's play area, in cooking and eating areas, or just anywhere that is quiet. If the user can make their portable computer and its accessories more flexible to use almost anywhere, the user can get more work done (or more computer play). In the home environment, a computer user often must work amongst the other inhabitants of the home. Little hands of children and little paws of pets find their way onto keyboards quite easily to disrupt computer work or computer play.

The prior art does not solve for these inherent problems with an ‘on the go’ office and computer. The prior art portable desks are generally imitations and substitutions for a single level desk that provide alternatives for the legs of an office desk but do not provide alternatives for the lack of horizontal space. Prior art portable desks still bring the computer into the home environment but do not bring protection from pets walking on the keyboard or children wanting to be typing too. Prior art keyboard protectors are designed for desk top computers rather than portables and are designed to protect from liquids and solids getting spilled inside the keyboard rather than restraining third party access to the keys.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a Portable Computer Table with Clear Reading and Writing Surface. The objectives of the present invention are to provide a protected primary work surface for a portable computer and a secondary horizontal work surface for writing, reading or other purposes providing more total horizontal work space to the user without taking up a bigger footprint of space and to provide a protected work area for the user interface area of a portable computer. The protected area provides a means of restraining access to the interface hardware by third parties such as small children and pets to restrain these third parties from interfering with the user interface of the primary operator.

The present invention solves problems that are inherent with the conditions that laptops and notebooks are often used in, namely the limited horizontal spaces or small footprint that are typical of the ‘office on the go’ and also solves the inherent problems of the casual features of home environments.

A computer user that is a passenger on public transportation or is working away from a large office desk does not have a large flat horizontal work area for the computer, the papers, the books and other work materials, and a travel mug next to the computer. In the home environment, a computer user also does not typically have a large office desk in every part of the home where the computer user must work. In both these scenarios, having a multilevel work area where reading and writing surfaces area travel with the user and computer can help the user adapt to varying work conditions that are less than ideal. Even if a large desk is available for use, having reading and writing materials off to the side of a computer means the user must constantly be looking back and forth and reaching back and forth to see both the computer screen and see or use the other materials. The present invention uses less space and works more efficiently keeping work materials within easy sight and grasp better than the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front perspective drawing of the Portable Computer Table with Clear Reading and Writing Surface Assembly with an open portable computer placed on the planar base.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective drawing of the Portable Computer Table with Clear Reading and Writing Surface Assembly with cooling slots shown in the planar base.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective drawing of Portable Computer Table with Clear Reading and Writing Surface Assembly with collapsible sides shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings FIG. 1-3 wherein like reference numerals have been used to designate like elements.

The Portable Computer Table with Clear Reading and Writing Surface Assembly advances its field by giving the user more total horizontal working space without taking up a bigger footprint of space. This makes the user more efficient by keeping non-computer work materials close to both the natural visual range of the user and the natural reach of the user requiring less time and effort to use materials together. The present invention also helps the user adapt to a more casual home office where a user must adapt to working variable work conditions that may include a mobile work space and a work space that restricts access to children and pets that want access to the user interface too.

The present invention has not just enough space for the user interface of a computer but also enough space for storage of a closed portable computer plus a few other work materials while the user carefully transports the ‘office on the go’ to another room.

The prior art replaces the functionality of the legs of a large work desk but does not replaces the functionality of the large horizontal workspace. The present invention expands the horizontal work space available for a user who must or chooses to work taking up less space (smaller footprint) and provides this user with more flexibility.

Now referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a Portable Computer Table with Clear Reading and Writing Surface Assembly (“assembly”) 10 is comprised of a clear small footprint planar base 20 with a width of less width than a typical coach seat on an airplane. This planar base 20 supports an open portable computer 50 while a computer user is operating a user interface 52 of the portable computer 50 and supports the closed portable computer 50 and a plurality of work materials (not shown) while the assembly 10 and the portable computer 50 are being carefully moved from one work area to another.

A plurality of open slots 22 in the small footprint planar base 20 vent heat from the portable computer 50. An open space 24 above the small footprint planar base 20 provides space for storing the portable computer 50 when open and in use, provides user access to the user interface 52 of the portable computer 50 and stores the closed portable computer 50 and a plurality of work materials while the portable computer 50 is not being used or is being transported from one work area to another.

A plurality of clear vertical supports 40 partially enclose the user interface 52 to restrain access to the user interface 52 of the portable computer 50 from third parties during operation of the user interface 52 and to restrain movement of the closed portable computer 50 and the plurality of work materials during transportation of the assembly 10.

A clear elevated planar base 30 supports a plurality of work materials (especially those for reading or writing), allows the user to see clearly a plurality of keys on the user interface 52 when necessary, and restrains access to the user interface 52 of the portable computer 50 from third parties. A plurality of indented edges in the clear small footprint planar base 20 and clear elevated planar base 30 reduce blind spots and improve access to the user interface 52 of the portable computer 50. A plurality of access openings 42 allow user access to the user interface 52 of the portable computer 50, allow placement of the portable computer 50 within the open space 24 above the clear small footprint planar base 20, and allow access by the user to peripheral ports and drives on the portable computer.

Now referring to FIG. 3, the Portable Computer Table with Clear Reading and Writing Surface Assembly with collapsible sides 12 may optionally have a plurality of hinges 60 enabling the vertical supports to fold and move inward when the assembly 12 is empty in order for the vertical height of assembly to decrease so that the assembly may be stored during nonuse using less vertical space.

The Portable Computer Table with Clear Reading and Writing Surface Assembly 10 may also be used as a work area to store and allow access to a plurality of work materials without a portable computer 50.

The Portable Computer Table with Clear Reading and Writing Surface Assembly 10 may be made of any clear strong material and held together with any type of mechanical connections well-known to those skilled in the art. The present invention may set on a table, lap, pillow, legs, or other surface or means of vertical support that provides the necessary stability and user access.

The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the present invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the present invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this present invention, it is not desired to limit the present invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like. 

1. A Portable Computer Table with Clear Reading and Writing Surface Assembly (“assembly”) that provides more horizontal work space and flexibility using a small footprint space designed for the computer user with an office on the go comprising: a clear small footprint planar base with a width of less width than a typical coach seat on an airplane for supporting an open portable computer while a computer user is operating a user interface of the portable computer and for supporting the closed portable computer and a plurality of work materials while the assembly and the portable computer is being carefully moved from one work area to another, a plurality of open slots in the planar base to vent heat from the portable computer, a plurality of indented edges in the small footprint planar base to reduce improve access to the user interface of the portable computer, and an open space above the planar base for storing the portable computer when open and in use, for providing user access to the user interface of the portable computer and for storing a plurality of work materials while the portable computer is not being used or is being transported from one work area to another, a plurality of clear vertical supports to partially enclose the user interface to restrain access to the user interface of the portable computer from third parties during operation of the user interface and to restrain movement of the closed portable computer and the plurality of work materials during transportation of the assembly, a clear elevated planar base for supporting the plurality of work materials, to allow the user to see clearly a plurality of keys on the user interface when necessary, and to restrain access to the user interface of the portable computer from third parties, a plurality of indented edges in the clear elevated planar base for reducing blind spots while viewing a computer screen and improving access to the user interface of the portable computer, and a plurality of access openings to allow user access to the user interface of the portable computer, to allow placement of the portable computer within the open space above the clear small footprint planar base, and to allow access by the user to peripheral ports and drives.
 2. The Portable Computer Table with Clear Reading and Writing Surface Assembly of claim 1, wherein the vertical supports comprise both clear support material and a plurality of hinges enabling the vertical supports to fold and move inward when the open space above the planar base is empty in order for the vertical height of assembly to decrease so that the assembly may be stored during nonuse using less vertical space.
 3. The Portable Computer Table with Clear Reading and Writing Surface Assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is used to store and allow access to a plurality of work materials without a portable computer. 